Plans to install digital display screens at Lichfield’s bus station have been rejected.
The two free-standing signs would have given real-time information for passengers.
A statement from local operators said the new displays would “assist in the growth of the number of passengers using the local bus network”
But planning bosses at Lichfield District Council have refused permission for them to be installed.
Objections from the local authority’s conservation team, which said in a consultation response:
“It is considered that the proposals will not preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area, will not preserve the setting of the Grade I St Johns Hospital and will not preserve the setting of the Grade II listed Council House.
“This would cause harm to the significance of the three designated heritage assets and this harm would be less than substantial. It would also be at the lower end of the less than substantial spectrum.
“Internally illuminated advertisements, of a much smaller nature are not supported elsewhere within the conservation area – there is no reason why this should not apply to this location.
“It is correct that this area has been highlighted as an area for improvement within the conservation area, however, there is no evidence to show how these will improve this area.
“We should be seeking to improve this area, not further harm it.”
Planning comments from Lichfield District Council’s conservation team
Full details of the proposals and the refusal report are available on Lichfield District Council’s planning website.
Gosh, yes, let’s not allow something that might prove of benefit to the people of Lichfield.
And of course, the boarded-up ex-Friarsgate site obviously blends in nicely with the listed buildings mentioned.
Now I might be missing something, but I’m not sure I understand why an internally illuminated bus sign in the conservation area is considered to be harmful but the Premier Inn illuminating itself in bright pink light is OK. Maybe if the useful bus information was projected in pink onto the hoardings round Friarsgate it would be acceptable?
So, despite having declared a climate emergency, the council won’t support measures designed to increase the use of public transport? No wonder the planet is burning when some intangible “harm to the historic environment” is deemed to outweigh the benefits of increased bus use. Farcical.
This decision is utterly ridiculous.
Who is able to challenge the planners, they’re completely bonkers if they think this will harm a conservation area.
Absolutely crazy way of thinking, yet they agree massive house building in the local area which will do much more damage than a bus display screen. I really fear for the future of this area with this sort of attitude from planners.
Planners – it’s a bus station, get over yourselves.
Something that would actual benefit people is rejected, as a operational bus station it would make sense to have real time information. If the conservation team were so concerned about the area why on other did they allow those blue hoarding to be installed and whilst I’m at it, that monstrosity of a design called the Garrick.
We mustn’t allow anything modern in ye merrie olde City of Lichfield. We should ban buses too and make people travel by horse and carriage
Ridiculous. Next ban buses!
Unbelievable. How will they ever be able to redevelop this site if that’s the case. May as well leave it looking like a wasteland next door to a bomb site.
Some people would just like to know when their bus was coming. Not much to ask.
Another great decision from Lichfield planning. Would have been great for the bus travellers. Perhaps planners dont have to use public transport. Just when the government are trying to encourage us. Lichfield doesn’t help.
Bonkers! Bonkers! Bonkers! Where are you Cllr. Pullen?
Laughable objection given the identikit, could be anywhere, lacking in any character or style artist impressions of the ill-fated Friarsgate development. Taking a look around at projects that have been given the go-ahead, you do have to wonder whether they piped up on these signs simply because it is an easy win for them.
Such signage is being adopted all around the world, let alone the UK, in places that take an active interest in preserving their character and heritage. 21st Century Lichfield is stuck in a rut, mainly because of LDC.
My god that’s so crazy ? You can build 1000’s of houses on lovely green belt yet you cannot place a digital display next to a boarded up ex car dealership and demolished police station ?
These people need naming and shaming and let’s hope someone can override their mindless logic ?
Truly unbelievable. Surely once Friarsgate/Birmingham Rd is finally built these wouldn’t even be visible – sorry, what I am thinking of course it won’t be built with planning like this. Hoardings look so much better next to a listed building. Backwards planning by Lichfield DC. Well done.
Truly incredible… and by that I mean ridiculous… and by that I mean insane. I’d instead like to see a bus crier. Like a town crier but dressed in formal attire who shouts the bus timetable.
Judging by their attitude I wonder how many councillors and planning officers ever use a bus or the bus station. There are not even any timetables shown there, real time information would just be too convenient for the plebs using buses.
The lunatics have definitely taken over the asylum. Who are these idiots? Is there any chance these planners could lift their knuckles off the floor and join the rest of us in the 21st century? Considering the history of planning decisions in this area, this really does take the biscuit.
A digital display would be really helpful for everyone using the bus station, especially those who are less able and need more visible support to be able to be independent. LDC please reconsider this decision, it’s a bus station, not a park or nature reserve.
LDC’s planning department must be one of the worst in the country. Must be. Can’t imagine how they could be much worse if I’m honest.
I’m beginning to despair over our council who will sign away great swaths of green belt to housing developers but won’t authorise displays to help commuters in the city centre.
Absolutely unbelievable how the people running Lichfield are holding the city back, they should be ambarassed at how useless they are, we many be a city, and it’s a nice place to live , but it’s more like a poxy village.
Who are these people?Who said it was ok to put those hideous pictures all around the old car sales site.
Yes we live in an historical city but we need to live in 2021.
Just off to find me horse and cart!
Another odd decision by the planners….
Why would it be useful to have real time data of the buses in the bus station? I cant think why I always seem to look at the signage at the railway station before I purchase a ticket.
I fail to see that a sign in a hardly picturesque bus station will detract any more than the bus station at present does. I often wonder where a bus has got to and timetables are often missing from the bays. The council needs to think long and hard of the purpose of a bus station and the reason for buses. Illuminated destination signs will detract from the historic area no more than advertising hoardings and lights of the city. We vote these clowns in, don’t forget that!
I am incredulous at this. So many earlier comments are spot on. The planners have shown no consistency here. Perfectly possible to do this in keeping with Lichfield’s historical identity. For bus users this would be a great source of information. I doubt a planner has ever used the bus. I challenge the council to think again and stop making stupid decisions.
What a ridiculous decision. Surely the sign would be helpful to everyone who uses the bus station. There is a sign outside the train station so not have a bus one.
Are these people elected? Can we get rid of them? A change of guard is needed.
Absolute, cringing infantilism. I’m beyond despair about this city’s planning department. Mind you, ‘Out of character’ certainly describes them rather than this abject decision.
Lichfield hasn’t had a proper bus enquiry office since the former Midland Red office in the Bus Station closed! Since then there have been numerous sightings in the Bus Station of would-be bus users wondering up & down trying to find bus info that no one there seems to know!! Then the usual outcome – services are cut through lack of use! Well how many will want to wait for a bus that MIGHT or might not be due?? With the lack of reliable info? Even timetables aren’t always updated! And those hoardings with nothing behind them aren’t an eyesore?? MI despair of Lichfield!
new displays would “assist in the growth of the number of passengers using the local bus network” So please tell me how does the rejection of this application fit in with the Council having declared a climate emergency and being obliged to consider the impact of all its decisions upon that declaration?
Just goes to show what a shower of **** sit on the committee, what an eyesore stands on the corner, the failed Friarsgate !! Not exactly a historical pile of rubble is it and that doesn’t exactly blend in with the hospital, city wall or railway station. Anything that would be a benefit to bus users shouldn’t be swept away just because it won’t pay anything to the council, unlike all the new buildings going up.
Surely a compromise is called for here.
Might I suggest an illuminated timetable, but illuminated by candles thus preserving the olde worlde aspect.
You know it makes sense.
Not keeping with the character of the surrounding area?Really? Yet the boxy looking apartments being built at every small space around Lichfield get approval – and they definitely don’t seem to have connection with their surroundings.
But isn’t there real time displays across the road on the train station?? So why not the bus station? This is something travellers need – up to date info on their journey.
And yet again the council officers have spoken .. is any council member in charge any more at Lichfield District Council ?
Note to the ‘conservation team’ re “It is correct that this area has been highlighted as an area for improvement within the conservation area, however, there is no evidence to show how these will improve this area.
We should be seeking to improve this area, not further harm it.”
The pollution from all the vehicles passing through Lichfield is physically damaging all of the buildings – listed or not. These digital display screens would encourage people to travel by bus and, particularly as we switch over to electric buses, this would have a positive impact on said pollution levels, thus actively helping to preserve all of the precious listed buildings and preserve the character of the city.
This is the evidence to show how these displays will improve this area. Yes, you should indeed be seeking to improve this area, not further harm it by discouraging bus travel and thus encouraging yet more pollution. Please amend your findings accordingly.
When this was looked at by Lichfield City Council (as a consultee) we felt the signs were quite appropriate in the location and had no objections to the application. I’m personally quite astonished that the District Council has refused permission.
How Ridiculous. Tipickle Lichfield District Council. Something else they Disaprove of . Doesn’t Matter about The People that use the Bus Service. Mind you We Haven’t Had a Bus Service in Hammerwich for 2 Years 🤬🤬🤬
How ridiculous!! I suppose these are the same people who decided that 2 toilets is enough at the bus station. Loads of parking spaces for coaches and only 2 toilets to cope with the demand when they all get off. Also if any councillors have been to the bus station recently they will have noticed the pot hole already there and getting worse. Spend time sorting this out please